List of Scholarships at Illinois State University for International Students

Illinois State University has a range of scholarship for international new freshman students. The scholarship is merit-based.

Prospective students should complete their application for admission during the preferred application filing period (September 1–November 15) of the University to be eligible.

Undergraduate students

(i) Global Outreach Scholarship

The Office of International Studies and Programs offers a merit-based Global Outreach Scholarship for new degree-seeking international students. This scholarship provides a partial tuition-only waiver valued at approximately twenty-five percent (25%) per semester of the most current international tuition for undergraduate or graduate students.

(ii) Presidential Scholarship

This is a $44,000 total award ($11,000 per year renewable for up to four years) for new freshmen. Students who are eligible for the Honor’s Program and have at least a 30 ACT (1340 SAT) will be invited to apply. In order to be eligible, international freshman students must have an official ACT or SAT score.

(iii) University Scholarship

This is a minimum $24,000 award (minimum $6,000 per year renewable for up to four years) for new freshmen from traditionally underrepresented groups, or first generation college students who have overcome hardship in achieving their academic goals. Minimum credentials required to be invited to apply are an ACT score of at least 25 (1150 SAT) and a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. In order to be eligible, international freshman students must have an official ACT or SAT score.

(iv) Redbird Academic Scholarship

This is an award ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 per year, renewable for up to four years, for new freshmen. Minimum credentials for consideration are an ACT score of at least 25 (1150 SAT) and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. In order to be eligible, international freshman students must have an official ACT or SAT score.

(v) Transfer Student Scholarship

Transfer Student Scholarship is a highly competitive and prestigious award for transfer students attending Illinois State University. The awards are valued at $2,000 per year for two years for a total value of $4,000. The awards are based on academic merit rather than on financial need. Students are invited to apply and must have at least a 3.5 college GPA or higher and 30 credit hours completed at the time of enrollment.

Graduate Students

Graduate Assistantships

Many graduate students apply for graduate assistantships or graduate teaching assistantships. Assistantships are jobs that include a small stipend or salary and include a full payment of your tuition (called a “tuition waiver”). The total financial benefit is generally almost enough to cover all of a student’s expenses during an academic year.